BUS drivers have been repeatedly pulling down a safety barrier on the approach to Hammersmith Bridge after it fails to open.

In the past 12 months, Hammersmith and Fulham Council has forked out more than £50,000 on repairing the barrier and it now wants the culprits to pay for the damage.

Designed by Transport for London (TfL), the barriers have been installed on both sides of the weak bridge to stop too many heavy vehicles from driving over it at any one time.

But as the approach to the bridge is not part of the TfL road network, the tax payer is currently footing the bill.

When approaching the bridge the barrier is supposed to open automatically. Failing that, drivers have a key fob and are then supposed to call a number to have it opened – but some have been ignoring the procedure and taking matters into their own hands.

Outraged by their behaviour, which has been captured on CCTV, the council is demanding to be reimbursed for the cost of the repairs.

Councillor Nick Botterill, head of environment, said: “With council budgets stretched more than ever before, our taxpayers do not expect to foot the bill because lazy bus drivers cannot be bothered to follow the barrier opening procedures or use their fobs correctly.

“We are demanding that TfL and the bus companies pay us back as a matter of urgency and will also report any drivers that we catch in the act to the police.

“Hammersmith Bridge was not built to withstand heavy traffic and if this continues and heavy good vehicles are able to drive over the bridge, we may eventually need to carry out strengthening works which will have a huge impact on traffic flows across the borough.”

Over the past six months the council estimates that it has had to fix the barrier more than 100 times and replace it 31 times.

A spokesman for bus operating company London United Busways, which has routes crossing Hammersmith Bridge, said: “London United is aware that since the installation of the barrier to the bus lane on Hammersmith Bridge there have been a number of incidents where the barrier has failed to operate automatically, which have caused sometimes significant delays to bus services.

“We are also aware that in some instances, in an effort to minimise the delay, our staff have taken direct action to try and move the barrier manually and that this has caused damage to it. The company has issued clear instructions to prevent drivers from attempting to move the barrier manually and conducted a thorough campaign to remind them of the correct procedure. All incidents are investigated thoroughly and appropriate action taken where a driver has failed to follow the correct procedure.”

A spokesman for TfL said bus operators have been asked to remind their drivers of the proper procedure if the barrier does not open.

He added: “TfL will be contacting Hammersmith and Fulham Council to discuss this matter further to prevent this issue reoccurring. TfL apologises for any inconvenience caused and will continue to closely monitor this situation.”